League Format 2016/17

[SirKT]

It looks like there will be the same amount of teams (14) as last season. We did discuss calling an EGM to format the Divisions and fixtures but I will run my thoughts past everyone on here first to see if a meeting will be necessary.
I've spoken to the Smugglers B and they would like to stay in the Premier and also the Southdown, who won DIv 1 and they definitely want to go up. This would give us 7 teams in the Premier, 4 teams in Div 1 and 3 in Div 2. My initial reaction is to say the Premier Div will play each other Home & Away four times, giving them 24 games, (28) last season.
Divisions 1 & 2 will do the same giving them 24 also. This frees up another couple of Thursday's to play Cups and competitions.
Are there any major disagreements to this format please? If so, make your voice heard asap so I can arrange a meeting quickly

This format does mean that there will be byes.

Alternatively, all could play all twice, giving everyone 26 games. The break rules are in place so that Div 2 teams will get all 5 breaks from the Higher Div teams. How do the Romans and Marine View feel about that?

[oaklj007]

Sound good having 7 and 7 leaving 24 games

[bigtj]

Good format and think two leagues in the format mentioned is the best way forward, would like to see the teams in the divided lower league named before season starts as to which of the 1st and 2nd would be.

As some players never look at the forum has this been e-mailed out to the contacts list for their input???.

This would mean under the rule changes and exiting rules that in the split lower division the 2nd division would get all breaks in the games against the 1st division and order of play in those games would be drawn. Agree with the split division as this gives the lower three teams something to play for. Also as mentioned more free weeks to play competition games and play the Chairmans finals before finals night.

[NigelS]

I would strongly advise against all play all, teams at both ends of the league don't like it - we tried it in Brighton and got a lot of moans.

Splitting into two groups of 7 seems the best solution.

[Mark James]

I too think that having all play all would be the wrong way to go. Whatever fine-tuning of divisions may be required to achieve it, in my opinion it's of paramount importance that we avoid a situation where mismatches occur between teams at the opposite ends of the bar billiards spectrum. Nobody enjoys that, whichever side of it they're on, and it brings with it the risk of players giving up the game altogether, or teams withdrawing, both of which are things we can ill-afford.
So 7 & 7 sounds by far the more preferable option to me.

[SirKT]

It seems that most are in favour of the 7 Premier and 4/3 split in Divs 1 & 2. I too prefer this, my only concerns were the length of season (28 weeks), this means less nights for competitions and cup matches.
One thought I had was to put competition 1st round matches on the Thursday of Jersey. Those not travelling over til Friday or not going at all could play theirs. The remainder could rearrange to suit them. This will also avoid an extra bye week for teams that may have their own bye around the same time.
It looks like the season will have to start on Sept 15th to accommodate this format